The Root of all Health Problems is The Gut
Written By Kim Deschamps | November 4, 2022
What health problems can be traced back to our gut?
It would be quicker to list the conditions that are NOT related to gut health.
From digestive issues (which may seem obvious) to our mood and mental health, allergies, fatigue, and even autoimmune conditions, a healthy body and mind rely on a healthy gut. That’s why it’s good to take a step back once in a while for a literal ‘gut check.’ All of our biological systems are impacted by the 100 million neurons inside what some people refer to as our ‘second brain’.
It might sound strange, but the relationship between your actual brain and your second brain is sort of like a two-way street where one informs the other and vice versa. That is to say, health issues related to gut distress can be the result of what goes on in the brain (stress, anxiety, or fear and the hormones they produce) or issues that begin in the gut, due to bacteria that is out of balance, poor diet, acid levels, etc., can be the direct cause of any number of health concerns, including your mood, lack of concentration, and general feeling of wellness or lack thereof.
To understand why gut health plays such a super-sized role in your overall health, it’s useful to consider just how much bacteria lives inside the microbiome that is your gut. Primarily, it is the large intestine where trillions of bacteria live. If you’re lucky, your microbiome is diverse and boasts a healthy mix of good and bad bacteria, commonly referred to as gut flora. While the good bacteria feed on fiber, the bad bacteria feed on sugars and processed foods. Ultimately, our body digests and transforms these microorganisms into the compounds it uses for basic functions.
The signs of poor gut health aren’t always obvious. Beyond digestive issues, it may present as:
chronic pain
fatigue
headaches
inflammation
insomnia
unexplained weight loss
depression
anxiety
And that is just to name a few. On the flip side, research suggests that a healthy gut can help ward off cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and some autoimmune illnesses.
To take care of your body, it is critically important to address your gut health. If you’ve been struggling with medications that don’t work to resolve your health issues, if you’re finding it hard simply to diagnose the root cause of discomfort, or if a treatment regimen isn’t getting the results you deserve, it may be time to take a closer look at your gut.
The path to a happier, healthier gut is paved with one good decision after another. A well-balanced diet with vitamins, minerals, fibers (lots of veggies), staying hydrated, getting enough exercise and rest, and avoiding some of our worst offenders, like sugar, alcohol, and processed foods all play a role.
It might sound like a lot to do, and if you need a little help putting it all together, you’re not alone. But by forming a plan and committing to it, you might see results that are hard to believe. You don’t have to live with chronic pain, and you don’t have to accept digestive issues as part of your everyday life. When it’s time for a ‘gut check’, talk to someone who is trained in Naturopathic Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, and Functional Nutrition.
Kim Deschamps
MPT, BKin, PYT, BDN